Swan Valley the toast of Canberra
Swan Valley food and wine producers are the toast of Canberra after going to the capital to promote their region as a gourmand’s paradise.
A delegation from the City of Swan council and local businesses has been walking the corridors of power and meeting key ministers as part of efforts to build the region’s profile.
MPs and senators dined last night at a special showcase of dishes prepared by local chefs and savoured top drops in Parliament House’s Great Hall.
City of Swan mayor Charlie Zannino said the Swan Valley was often overlooked in favour of better known regions such as Margaret River — something they hoped to correct.
“We’re only 25 minutes from Perth’s CBD and people over in the Eastern States have never heard of us,” he said.
Councillor Zannino said all 28 exhibitors paid their own way to Canberra, which was a big commitment for small business operators.
Chef Caroline Taylor, of Taylor’s Art and Coffee House, said the Swan Valley was carving out a reputation for humane and organic farming.
“We’re blue-collar farm workers,” Taylor said.
“We do things from scratch and it’s extremely authentic food and wine.
“We’ve got to put ourselves out there,otherwise anything can happen to our land.”
The delegation has met ministers, shadow ministers and staffers, including Small Business Minister Bruce Billson and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann.
